1400 Position: 34 54.02 S 137 47.95 E
Moored Stansbury
Wind: SW, F4-5
Sea: slight Swell: nil
Weather: overcast, mild
Day's run: 144 nm

As we moved clear of the lee of Thistle Island and out into open water, the seas and swell picked up and we settled down for a boisterous night beam reaching to the strong SW wind and three meter swell, with a tripled reef main and 30% jib. Towards evening another squall came through, just as we were rounding Wedge Island, reducing visibility to zero in the heavy rain. I dropped the mainsail and we continued on jib alone. We were still making good six to seven knots so I decided to leave the main down for the night.

At 2300 we rounded Althorpe Island, marking the southern most point of York Peninsular, and from here we were able to bear away to the ENE and ease sheets. With the sea and swell now well abaft the beam the ride was much more comfortable.

As the night wore on we the swell reduced as we gained Investigator Strait and the shelter of Kangaroo Island. At dawn we were approaching Troughbridge shoals and the entrance to St Vincent Gulf. We altered course to the north and at 1030 reset the main with two reefs to allow Sylph to make better ground to windward, the breeze now more in the west.

I initially was thinking of going to a Squadron mooring in Port Vincent but as I examined the chart I thought of Stansbury. It also has three Squadron moorings, provides good shelter from W'ly winds, and it was a little closer. Also, looking at the forecast for the next few days, the wind will be turning more into the south on Thursday, so the wind angle for getting back to Adelaide will be better.

So, we rounded South Spit, the sand bar protecting eastern side of Stansbury's Oyster Bay, worked our way towards the shore, then tacked our way down into the bay. At 1345, I furled the jib, and a few minutes later rounded into the wind, dropped the main and picked up the mooring in one swoop, without the aid of the engine (though it was running just in case) - a good way to finish a tiring three day passage.

I intend to have a quiet night this evening, explore Stansbury and obtain some fresh victuals tomorrow, and likely head back to Adelaide on Thursday.

All is well.